Tension device



S. C. NELSON TENSION DEVICE June 12, 1951 Filed Sept. 17, 1946 INVENTOR \SEDDON C. NELSON Patented June 12, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE American Viscose Corporation,

Wilmington,

Del., a corporation of Delaware Application September 17, 1946, Serial No. 697,546

Claims. (Cl. 242-154) This invention relates to improved tension devices that may be used for applying a drag or suitable tension of controlled extent upon a yarn, thread or other strand being unwound or wound and/or twisted.

It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a tension device which is adjustable to exert a controlled amount of tension upon the yarn passing therethrough, and which, by virtue of a plurality of differently related groups of tensioning elements which can be brought into action successively, provides a wider range of tension for a given overall length of the device and for a given number of tensioning elements. Resilient means is provided for allowing momentary variations in the relative positions of the tensioning elements to compensate for momentary changes in the tension of the yarn as it approaches the device. The device thereby affords a compact means for satisfactorily tensioning strands or yarns of greatly different sizes under conditions requiring either an extremely low tension or an extremely high tension maintained substantially uniformly throughout the winding operation.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the drawing and the description thereof hereinafter.

In the drawing, which is illustrative of the invention,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the preferred embodiment of the invention as applied to the tensioning of a yarn proceeding thereto from a package surrounding the tension device,

Figure 2 is an end view taken on line 11-11 of Figure 1 of the device,

Figure 3 is an end view of one set of guiding elements shown in Figure 1, and

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section through the axis of the device showing the yarn path.

As shown in Figure 1 particularly, the tension device generally comprises two sets of yarn guiding elements. One of the sets comprises the guides 2 spaced at intervals along the yarn path, preferably with their guiding surfaces in substantial alignment. The other set of yarn guiding elements comprises two difierent groups specifically shown. Guides 3a, 3b, etc., are disposed alternately with respect to guides 2 and those of each group are related'differently to the guides 2 with which they cooperate.

Each group of guides 30., 3b, etc., which may be of rod-shaped, as shown, exerts a different tensioning efiect upon the yarn by virtue of the fact that they cooperate with guide elements 2 which are preferably, though not necessarily, of annular shape, in a different fashion. Thus, the guiding surfaces may have different radii of curvature, e. g., the diameter of rods 3a may be different,

either larger or smaller than the diameter of rods 3b. Alternatively, th position of the rods 3a may be displaced from the position of rods 3b, either laterally from a common plane containing the latter group of rods or angularly with respect thereto. Again, a plurality of such differences may be present as is specifically shown in Figures 3 and 4, wherein the rods 3a are of about onehalf the diameter of rods to and they are displaced angularly, 20 from the plane rods of 31). It is to be understood that the specific angle of 20 is merely illustrative and that the relative diameters having a ration of 2:1 are also merely illustrative of a preferred embodiment. The relative displacement and the relative diameters of the several groups of rods comprising the second set of guiding elements may vary widely.

The two sets of guiding elements 2 and 3 are mounted for relative movement in a direction generally transverse of the general direction of the yarn path therethrough. If desired, both sets may move though in certain situations, particularly when a restricted amount of space is available, as in the specific form of twister illustrated in Figure 1, it is preferable to have one set of the elements positioned fixedly and the other movable relatively thereto in a direction transverse of the yarn path longitudinally of the first set.

As specifically shown, the guiding elements 2 are fixed and are set in bores within plates 4 which extend across a semi-cylindrical sleeve 5 which is set within an enclosing tubular housing 6. The other set of guiding elements, comprising groups 311 and 3b, are fixed within and project laterally from rod 1, such as by threaded engagement therewith. This rod has a pedestal bearing 8 rotatably fitting within a bore in base 9 secured within tube 6. The other end of the rod 1 projects rotatably through a bore within the enclosing plate It] secured to the semi-cylindrical sleeve 5, which is, in turn, secured in a fixed position relative to the pedestal 8 by fitting into a complementary groove H in thebase 9. A coil spring 12 surrounds the end of rod 7 and has one of its ends I3 anchored within the slot [4 of the rod 1. The other end of the spring [2 has a hooked portion l5 projecting therefrom (see especially Figure 2). An arcuate strip 16, having a series of notches ll on its underside, is secured in fixed position relative to the plate it such as by capscrews l8 and the hooked portion of spring 12 projects under this strip 65. This whole assembly of coil spring 12 and plate 16 may be recessed within the upper end of the tube 6, but the hooked portion of spring [2 has its extremity projecting outwardly into proximity with the end of the housing 6 so that it may be available for manipulation by an operator.

The base 9 and plate it are provided with bores adapted to receive exit and entrance guiding elements 2a and 2b, respectively. In the specific embodiment shown, the bores are centrally disposed and the element 22) is provided with a long passage for the strand so that its opening extends above the open end of housing 6. The purpose of this arrangement is to prevent any tangling of the yarn or strand upon the various parts recessed within the end of housing 6. Both 2a and 2b can be used interchangeably as entrances or exits to the device 'asdesired, it being immaterial in which direction the yarn passes therethrough in so far as its tensioning action is concerned.

Although the device may be used in any situation where a tensioning device may be needed, it is specifically shown in Figure l mounted upon a type of twisting element in which two twists are placed upon the strand for a single turn of the rotating flyer 29. In this type of twister, a spindle 2! adapted to be driven by a pulley 22 is rotatively mounted in a bearing 23 and carries fixedly mounted thereon the fiyer 20. The spindle carries rotatable relative thereto, a supporting element 25 to which is secured an annular plate 25 adapted to carry a package of yarn or other strand 26. As shown, the package 26 maybe a cone of yarn carried upon a conical core 2'! having a hollowed interior into which the supporting element 2 and the tension device may project. As shown, the tension device is secured fixedly to the supporting element 24 by a threaded projection extending from base 9. A weight 28 may be embedded within the platform 25in order to maintain the platform and associated parts in fixed position while allowing the spindle 2i to be rotated as is conventional. The spindle 2i as specifically shown projects partially into a recess 29 in the end of base 9 and has a bore 36 in alignment with the guiding elements 2. A transverse bore 3| communicates with the bore 38 and allows a strand proceeding downwardly through bore 30 to exit laterally of spindle 2i and proceed toa guiding element 32 projecting from the fiyer.

The twister unit maybe provided with a housing 33, comprising two inter-fitting shells 3d and 35, the former shell being secured to supported means 24 or to the platform 25. A ring 36 may be provided, preferably concentrically disposed with respect to the twister unit and being supported by a bracket 31.

In this type of twister unit, the strand proceeds from the package 26 into the guiding element 2b through the tension device, through the bore 30 of spindle 2%, out bore 3| over the guiding member 32 of fiyer 20 and through ring 35, ballooning between such guiding surface and the ring 36 through which it passes to a suitable takeup device.

Referring more specifically to the operation to the tension device itself, it will be noted that the axis of rod 1 is oifset substantially parallel to the axis of the guides 2 so that it can be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 2, to swing all of the guiding rods 30., 317, etc., clear past the aligned passages of guiding elements 2. In this position, the operator may thread the strand through the device, and once having threaded the device, he can swing the hooked end l5 of the spring l2 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 2 to dispose the rods 3a and 3b in any desired position relative to elements 2, the further rod 1 is rotated in a clock' wise direction, the greater tension resulting. Any one of the notches l1 serves to retain the spring in the position set by the operator, the hook end of the swing normally being urged upward into the notches. When once positioned, the spring resiliently opposes rotation of rod '1 in both directions.

As will be observed in Figure 4, rods 3a are the first to engage the yarn and it is possible to employ the tension device with the rod 7 so disposed that only rods 3a serve to tension the yarn. However, as rod '1 is rotated to a further extent in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 2, the other groupof rods 3b comes into play. The group of rods to come into play gradually, but since they constitute an entire group, the tension can be increased very greatly over each step subsequent to the first in which such rods come into action. It is clear that by this system, very low tensions can be maintained by the use exclusively of one group of the second set of guiding elements; whereas, a high tension can be obtained with the same device merely by bringing into action the second group of guiding elements to. This results in a compact tensioning unit capable of producing and substantially uniformly maintaining an extremely wide range of tensions.

While a preferred embodiment is illustrated, it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I'claim:

l. A tension device comprising two sets of guide elements, the elements of one set having their yarn-guiding surfaces in approximate alignment, the other set comprising two groups of guide elements, the elements of one group having generally aligned yarn-guiding surfaces displaced out of alignment with the yarn-guiding surfaces of another group, means for mounting the two sets for relativemovement in a direction generally transverse of the direction of alignment, andre silientmeans for opposing relative movement between the two sets.

2. A tension device comprising two sets-of guide elements the elements of one set having their yarn-guiding surfaces in approximate alignment, the other 'se t'comprising two groups of guide elements, the elements of one group having generally aligned yarn-guiding surfaces displaced out of alignment with the yarn-guiding surfaces of another group, means for mounting the 'two sets for relative movement in "a direction generally transverse of the direction of alignment, adjusting means for moving the sets of guide elements to predetermined relative positionsyand resilient means for opposing relative movement between the two sets from said predetermined relative positions.

3. A tension device comprising two sets of guide elements, the elements of one set being in approximate alignment, the other set comprising two groups of guide elements, the guiding surfaces of the elements of one group having a dif ferent radius of curvature than, and bein'gdisplaced out of alignment with, those of another group, means for mounting the two sets for relative movement'in a direction generally transverse of the direction of alignment, and resilient means for opposing relative movement between the two sets.

4. A tension device comprising two sets of guide elements, the elements of one set having their yarn-guiding surfaces in approximate alignment, the other set comprising two groups of guide elements, the elements of one group having generally aligned guiding surfaces displaced angularly out of alignment with the yarn-guiding surfaces of another group, means for mounting the two sets for relative movement in a direction generally transverse of the direction of alignment, and resilient means for opposing relative movement between the two sets.

5. A tension device comprising two sets of guide elements, the elements of one set being in approximate alignment, the elements of the other set comprising two groups of rods, the rods of one group having a different diameter than, and being displaced from, the rods of the other group, means for mounting the two sets for relative movement in a direction generally transverse of the direction of alignment, and resilient means for opposing relative movement between the two sets.

6. A tension device comprising a set of guide elements fixedly positioned at spaced intervals along a path, a second set of spaced guide elements alternating with those of the first set and comprising two groups of elements, the elements of the second set being rods, the rods of one group being of a different diameter than those of another group and having generally aligned yarnguiding surfaces displaced out of alignment with the yarn-guiding surfaces of said other group, means for mounting the second set for movement relative to the first set in a direction transverse of said path, and resilient means for opposing movement of the second set.

7. A tension device comprising a set of guide elements fixedly positioned at spaced intervals along a path, a second set of spaced guide elements alternating with those of the first set and comprising two groups of rods projecting laterally from a common supporting rod rotatable upon. its axis, the rods of one group being of a difierent diameter than the rods of another group and having generally aligned yarn-guiding surfaces displaced out of alignment with the yarn-guiding surfaces of said other group, adjusting means for moving the second set to a predetermined position relative to the first set, and resilient means connected to the supporting rod for resisting rotation thereof.

8. A tension device comprising a set of guide elements fixedly positioned at spaced intervals along a path, a second set of spaced guide elements alternating with those of the first set and comprising two groups of rods projecting laterally from a common supporting rod rotatable upon its axis, the rods of one group being angularly displaced from the rods of another group about an axis at right angles to the axis of the individual rods, adjustingmeans for moving the second set to a predetermined position relative to the first set, and resilient means connected to the supporting rod for resisting rotation thereof.

9. A tension device comprising a set of guide elements fixedly positioned at spaced intervals along a path, a second set of spaced guide elements alternating with those of the first set and comprising two groups of rods projecting laterally from a common supporting rod rotatable upon its axis, the rods of one group being of a different diameter than, and angularly displaced from, the rods of another group, adjusting means 6 for moving the second set to a predetermined position relative to the first set, and resilient means connected to the supporting rod for resisting rotation thereof.

10. A tension device comprisinga set of annular guide'elements fixedly positioned at spaced intervals along a path with their passages in approximate alignment, a set of rod-shaped guide elements alternating with those of the first set and comprising two differing groups, the elements of one group having generally aligned yarn-guiding surfaces displaced out of alignment with the yarn-guiding surfaces of another group, a common supporting rod from which the second set of elements project at spaced intervals between the annular elements of the first set, said supporting rod being offset parallel to the path through the aligned passages and being rotatably mounted about its axis, adjusting means for rotating the second set to a predetermined position relative to the first set, and resilient means for opposing rotation of the supporting rod.

11. A tension device comprising a set of annular guide elements fixedly positioned at spaced intervals along av path with their passages in approximate alignment, a set of rod-shaped guide elements alternating with those of the first set and comprising two different groups, the elements of one group having generally aligned yarn-guiding surfaces displaced out of alignment with the yarn-guiding surfaces of another group, a common supporting rod from which the second set of elements project at spaced intervals between the annular elements of the first set, the rods of one group being of different diameter than those of another group and having generally aligned yarn-guiding surfaces displaced out of alignment with the yarn-guiding surfaces of said other group, said supporting rod being offset parallel to the path through the aligned passages and being rotatably mounted about its axis, adjusting means for rotating the second set to a predetermined position relative to the first set, and resilient means for opposing rotation of the supporting rod.

12. A tension device comprising a set of annular guide elements fixedly positioned at spaced intervals along a path with their passages in approximate alignment, a set of rod-shaped guide elements alternating with those of the first set and comprising two different groups, a common supporting rod from which the second set of elements project at spaced intervals between the annular elements of the first set, the rods of one group being angularly displaced out of alignment with the rods of another group about an axis at right angles to the axis of the individual rods, said supporting rod being offset parallel to the path through the aligned passages and being rotatably mounted about its axis, adjusting means for rotating the second set to a predetermined position relative to the first set, and resilient means for opposing rotation of the supporting rod.

13. A tension device comprising a set of annular g-uide elements fixedly positioned at spaced angularly displaced out of alignment with the rods of another group, and said supporting rod being offset parallel to the path through the aligned passages and being rotatably mounted about its axis, adjusting means for rotating the second set to a predetermined position relative to the first set, and resilient means for opposingrotation of the supporting rod.

14. A tension device comprising a tubular housing, a base at one end thereof having a central bore, a transverse plate adjacent the other end thereof providing a substantially enclosed region Within the housing between the base and the plate, a bore centrally disposed in the plate in alignment With that of the base, a plurality of fixed guide elements spaced apart in approximate alignment with the bores, a rod in the housing rotatably mounted in the base and plate on an axis oiiset from the axis of the central bores, a plurality of groups of dififering guide elements projecting laterally from the rod and alternating with the fixed guide elements, the elements of one group having generally aligned yarnguiding surfaces displaced out of alignment with the yarn-guilding surfaces of another group, adjusting means for rotating the rod to a predetermined position, and resilient means for opposing rotative movement of the rod from the predetermined position.

15. A tension device comprising a tubular housing, a base at one end thereof having a central bore, a transverse plate adjacent the other end thereof providing a substantially enclosed region within the housing between the base and the plate,,a bore centrally disposed in the plate in alignment with that of the base, a plurality of fixed annular guide elements spaced apart in approximate alignment with the bores, a rod in the housing rotatably mounted in the base and plate on an axis offset from the axis of the central bores, a plurality of groups of difierent rodshaped guide elements projecting laterally from the rod and alternating with the fixed guide elements, the elements of one group having generally aligned yarn-guiding surfaces displaced out of alignment with the yarn-guiding surfaces of another group, adjusting means for rotating the rod to a predetermined position, and resilient means for opposing relative movements of the rod from the predetermined position.

SEDDON C. NELSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,063,992 McKean June 10, 1913 2,102,109 Brueggem-an Dec. 14, 1937 2,202,323 Sullivan May 28, 1940 2,343,535 Cl'arkson Mar. 7, 1944 2,397,153 Naumann Mar. 26, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 723,930 France Apr. 18, 1932 

